The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-05-12
ELOQUENT EXPOUNbING
OF THE DEMANDS OF THE BNLI
BIRTH ENDOWMENT.
Yesterdays Session Consumed In
Discussing the Question
Pro and Con.

Yesterday 8 sessiC,.n OF the District
Grand Lodge, B'nai b nth, was en-
tirely consumed in live,v debate oil
the endowment report. The conven'
ton met at 10 O'Clock am, anu on
motion OF y. Hirech, at once resolved
itself into committee OF the whole,
with Ferd. Marks in the chair, to dis
cuss the matter. The following in.
PRODUCTION to the report gives a clear
or insight into the matter in dispute,
the variety OF opinion being found in
the second section:
Your Endowment Committee begs
leave to submit the following report:
One year ago, after an animated de-
bate, the subject OF our endowment
was submitted to special committee
composed of Brothers Leo N. Levi
aud Samuel Hirsch, who were directed
to submit their respective views to
the lodges in advance OF this CONVEX
ton. The views Of said brothers,
supplemented by q statistical table
prepared by BrotRer Isidor Bush,
have been submitted to this conven-
tion in the message Of the retiring
Grand President.
We deem 1t unnecessary 10 recite
here the difference in the said views
as they are already before you. We
take great pleasure, however, in an
nouncing that this committee, com.
posed as it was OF tho opponents OF op-
posing views, is able to make an unan.
imous report upon all points bsfore it,
and thai this unanimity was attained
without any compromise of principle
by any member OF the committee.
We are convinced now without respect
10 previous views:
First-rhat it is impracticable to re-
duce the endowment benefit as far ss
eur present membership is concerned.
Second-That a benefit Of $1,000 il
for many reasons preferable to one Of
$500, and should be the amount fixed
as to future members.
Third-That equity and the interest
Of the order require that the sssess-
ments Sc to future members should as
nearly as practicable be graded to &C.
cord with the risk assumed by us In
respect OF such future members.
Fourth-That the table OF Bro. Bush
is entirely reliable on the factors as.
sumed, and that said factors are the
safest and best upon which 10 base our
Fifth-Thst we cannot safely count
upon a greater income on our reserve
than per cent. per annum net, and
that we should not base any cslcula-
tons upon the infnx OF new members
Sixth-Thst expediency and loyalty
require that the District Grand Lodge
should assume n'rol and direction
Of the endowment fund.
We have sccordiS gly framed a new
Jaw, which ie herewith
and the. cub tsntisl fta5-
ures OF which are a. follows:
First-The benefit as to present
to remain at $500, aud the
assessment to be fixed at $50 per an.
mum.
Second-The benefit as to future
to be $1,000. and the assess
ment to be fixed at $l6 up to the age
OF thirty-three years, at $l8 from thir-
ty.thrse to forty.five years, and at $40
from forty five years upward; the a.
te ssment to be increased as the new
n emb rs advance In age from any one
Of said grades to the next.
Third-That the direction, supervis-
ion and control OF the endowment fund
be Ieposed 10 a central board of en-
dowment trustees, who shall invest
and manage the same with the aid and
through the sgency of the endowment
trustees, elected by the various lodges.
The section providing that the en-
1owment remain at $500 was carried
unanimously.
The section providing for an in
crease OF assessment to $50 annually
met with vigorous opposition. Dale
gate Van Ronkel, Of Dallas, Tex, took
the floor in opposition TO the clause.
Delegate M. Mohr, Of Jntgomery,
Ala, moved to amend by striking out
100 and inserting $24.
Member after member followed with
ringing speechep, pro and con, and the
continued its session well
into last night without reaching any
conclusion. The discussion will be
this morning.